Kuala Lumpur, 27 February 2019 – Multinational corporations are rapidly embracing digital transformation as the world phases into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0). SMEs, as part of the business ecosystem, must also transform if they are to be relevant and competitive.

Ricoh, an 80-year old Japanese success story, is now providing such digital technologies for SMEs and multinationals. At Ricoh’s recent Empowering Digital Workplaces event, it demonstrated its latest solution on how to “maximise productivity in minimalist workspaces” at a co-working space in Kuala Lumpur.

The highlight of the event was the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Ricoh and HELP University to co-develop a Professional Certificate programme in Enterprise Content Management and Document Workflow Management practices. The MOU was signed by Alice Lee, Managing Director of Ricoh Malaysia and Mr Lim Hock Chye, Group Director of Strategic Planning & Corporate Affairs, HELP University.

The main objective is to provide a platform and opportunities for young graduates to have the awareness and practical training in Workflow Solutions and Workflow Architecture, which forms the basis of digitisation.

The areas for mutual collaboration highlighted in the MOU also include the sharing of approved case studies by Ricoh with HELP University, to enable students to gain a practical understanding of enterprise content management in real-life work settings. Equipped with decades of commercial experience and customers from various industries through a myriad of projects, Ricoh will also share their best practices and strategies to enhance business processes.

Alice Lee stated, “Based on our overarching aim in Empowering Digital Workplaces to showcase new and diverse approaches to work smarter through innovative technology tools, Ricoh and our long-term collaboration partner HELP University is embarking on this MOU – towards empowering students who are the knowledge workers and corporate leaders of tomorrow.”

“Digital transformation starts with the digitisation in all areas of workflow. Our previous and ongoing collaborations have demonstrated that SMEs and government bodies appreciate the importance of digitisation. Hence, it’s vital to ensure that the talent who utilise the digitisation are aligned with this evolution. What better place to start than with those who are about to step into the workforce,” added Alice.

Datuk Professor Dr Paul Chan, President of HELP University highlighted that the university is now transforming itself into an ‘Analytics-Driven University’. All staff and students are trained in IR4.0 related skills. It has invested RM 25 million in the Business Analytics and Technology Innovation Centre (BATIC) in its Subang 2 campus, which encourages industry collaboration like this one between Ricoh and HELP University. This ensures that all HELP graduates are future-skilled and globally mobile.

Professor Chan also mentioned that such industry and university collaboration will support the vision of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development to create enterprising SMEs. HELP University is actively involved in training SMEs founders and workforce. The Ricoh-HELP University project is thus a boost to the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs.

The collaboration also aims to develop more joint activities between Ricoh and HELP University using the Ricoh’s endorsed Enterprise Content Management platform.

With Ricoh’s illustrious history over the decades, there are no signs of slowing down as a total workplace technology provider to deliver efficient, effective and sustainable workplace solutions among its long list of other services.